The diagnosis or the procedure?

For my operation i was conscious. I was given a muscle relaxant, a powerful anticoagulant, and antibiotics prior to the procedure. During the procedure i then had an injection of iodine based contrast dye and 3 local anaesthetic injections for them to insert the device(and associated catheters and tubing) in the femoral vein, the ultrasound probe in the femoral artery. Now because of the sedation the next point i got a bit confused. One of the catheter/tubing (not sure which) was too small so they then had to insert into the other leg. And they have to leave the other in, they can't take it out because of the anticoagulant. The operation was taking longer than expected and the drugs were wearing off, i was obviously in discomfort as the nurse asked if i wanted more drugs, to which i happily agreed. My memory is blurry after that. What i do remember clearly is the sensation of the guidewire being pushed around in my heart and being able to see it on the tv screen at the same time. I thought that was cool.

Post operatively, i had to lie still for 6 hours for the anticoagulant to wear off. After about 2.5 hours my clotting rate was such that the catheters could be removed under local anaesthetic. THat was excruciating as its done with a device that can maintain pressure on the damaged blood vessels. This is a high risk time to have uncontrolled bleeding. Pressure bandages were applied. Some more antibiotics were given, to which i had an allergic type reaction of itchy skin from my scalp, down my back and welts on other areas of my body, just made my day.

The wounds were pretty sore for the next couple of days and it took weeks for the bruising to go.